You associate stories like these in Thailand more than Goa. That's because you get idiots who tip them obscene amounts because the've got more money than sense...and they're right. Why do you think taxi drivers and the like think they can make a fast one all the time. What's wrong with tipping 10 to 20% of the amount on the bill?

I have heard quite a few stories this year - people have been asking for portable DVD players and Lap Tops!!!! (I haven't got either of them), this is in addition to digital cameras and the latest phones! I stupidly gave my ex my Motorola V3 and some other stuff - never again! I have been told that nobody is really poorly off in Goa - they make out they are, there's a lot of out of staters working there now who go home to work at the end of April.

Just so everyone knows... This year has seen a huge increase of theft (although I don't think you'll see it in any of the statistics as the police are never willing to record a case of theft, they're more interested in recording a case of missing/lost... Most of our volunteers have been broken into, had bags stolen from the beach etc so be careful

9 volunteers have had their appartments/ rooms broken into (all staying in different areas. Although one place popped up twice being the new build on Baga road just down from Infantara! They had digital cameras, mobile phones, money taken. 3 of them had it while they were sleeping!! (A little worrying! - I think the noise of the fans covers them).

3 Volunteers had their things stolen from the beach, two of them twice! - Once they ran after and caught the guy, the later the same day Camera, phone and passport was taken while they were in the sea...

Out of all of them I don't think any were reported as thefts/break ins as the police were not willing to do so...

So please be careful

Anything I have of any value is in the safe in the hotel at all times. I would never carry things like passport or jewellery around with me. I take money from the safe on a daily basis and never carry around large amounts.
Mobile phone and/or camera are normally in my bag which I keep with me at all times.
I am not saying that things cant happen, but lots of theft can be prevented with a bit of common sense.

Met a couple on our flight home yesterday who told us that the wife had been the target of a bag snatch in Candolim. They said it happened so quickly she had no chance of fending them off, they were on a motorbike. Silly woman had all her money and their passports in her bag.

Couldnt agree more Polly, its just plain stupid. Why carry your passport about for 2 weeks and ALL your money, doesnt make any sense.

Hi Polly,
obviously they were not HT readers Otherwise they would have learnt from peoples reports on this site that is one of the most common ways for people to lose there bags by people on motor bikes. We always use bum bags hidden under a t shirt, but even with those you still have to be careful Don't understand why they would be carrying their passports round in the first place How did they manage to get on flight back without passports
Tony

Good question Tony. I take it they would need to report it to the police and visit the British Embassy. Losing your money is bad enough but your passport as well, what a nightmare!

Hi Gemma,
can't imagne it being a quick operation in Goa to get a stolen passport replaced, Jimm is still waiting to find out about his, and that's in the country it was issued

Tony

Don't understand why they would be carrying their passports round in the first place

Maybe they were changing T/C?

When we were based in the North..but travelled south you HAD to have your passport with you to book into any hotel/accommodation.

Yes pam, they may have been changing T/Cs. in which case it was unfourtunate. When we first went to Goa, most guide books etc always tell you if your carrying a bag always wear on the side away from the road to minimise this sort of thing happening What ever the reason for her carrying passports around, it's still a very traumatic thing to happen to anyone.
Tony

I'm not sure of the circumstances why they were carrying passports. It was quite a short conversation with them. Seems they weren't very street wise out there, cos she hired a scooter and fell off that too!!!!! I should have given them this web address.

Probably their first time there polly. Whenever in a foreign country, basic common sense should prevail

When we came through the airport last November the wheelchair lad who pushed me through was quite helpful, helping my wife to get the cases and generally being useful and I thought the last couple of years I have given them 50 rupees and perhaps it was time to up it to 100 rupees, so when he got to the taxi I gave him the money, he said that it was not anywere near enough for his time and 100 rupees would not buy him a meal, he said he wanted 5 english pounds, the second word was OFF as I tried to get out of the wheel chair, but I am told that greed has finally arrived in Goa.
Danny

I think the top earner we saw this trip was an ear cleaner on Betalbatim beach in south goa. We watched 7 people queing up to have their ears attended to by this grubby individual. When we asked the first couple what they had paid they said he charged 250rp per stone he removed He had paid 1000rp she 750. If the others had paid the same the ear cleaner must have thought it was christmas, new year and his birthday all rolled into one

Sorry ! Not sure what "ear stones are" anyone who lets one of these horrible, dirty so called ear cleaners near them needs their brains testing or "removed" by a little dirty stick!

Not sure what the ear stones are either but the 1st time we experienced the 'look sir at all the wax I got from your ear sir' and although he didnt actually touch his ears my hubby said..........no chance mate I've been here 5 days now so all the wax I had has melted by now, the 'ear cleaners' face was a picture.

Priceless

Jules

Ear stones are small stones the guy palms and pretends they have come out of your ear. He was slicker than Paul Daniels

Just looking through one or two postings on the site and I had to smile.....
There's people complaning about stomach cramps and debating whether it's irritable bowel syndrome or compylobacter (not funny, I know), then here we have bag snatchers on the way back from the beach, people falling off scooters and getting ripped off at every turn.

Non Goa visitor visitors could read a few postings (my own included!) and think, "Jeez, I'm not going there, it sounds like a nightmare". Yet we all keep going back for more....